Tom Swift and His Airline Express
"Tom Swift and His Airline Express" by Victor Appleton follows the young inventor Tom Swift as he embarks on a daring venture to establish a coast-to-coast airline express service. The story begins with Tom contemplating the success of the Swift Construction Company, which he and his father built. However, Tom's plans are threatened by mysterious enemies who attempt to sabotage his efforts. Tom discovers a secret tunnel near his plant and is captured by a group of men, including Kenny and Schlump, who are part of a plot to steal his airline express patents. After being held captive, Tom manages to escape and warns his father and friends about the danger. Despite the threats, Tom is determined to proceed with his airline express project. With the help of his friends, including Ned Newton and Mr. Damon, Tom secures funding for his venture. He designs a unique combination of an aeroplane and a passenger car that can travel from New York to San Francisco in a single day. The story follows Tom's challenges as he conducts test flights, faces mechanical failures, and deals with the persistent threats from his enemies. Throughout the narrative, Tom's ingenuity and determination are highlighted as he overcomes obstacles and ultimately succeeds in his ambitious project. The novel concludes with Tom completing the first successful airline express trip, securing further investment, and foiling the plans of his adversaries.
By Victor Appleton · First published 1915 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Juvenile Fiction · 25 chapters · 54,240 words
First lines
"Ours is sure a great plant! " murmured Tom Swift to himself, with justifiable pride. "It would be a credit to anybody. No wonder dad loves it, and so do I. Yes, it sure is a great plant! We've had our troubles-our ups and downs-and our enemies have tried their hardest to wipe it out."
Darkness was slowly gathering over the landscape, shrouding in velvety black the trees which were faintly stirring in the summer breeze. Tom, following an old-time cowpath across the green meadow on his way home from town, topped a little rise and caught a glimpse of the high board fence surrounding the Swift Construction Company's plant which he and his father had built up after many years of hard work.
What this Textopian page supports
Tom Swift and His Airline Express is listed on Textopian as a novel by Victor Appleton, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Victor Appleton
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Juvenile Fiction, Action
- Length: 54,240 words
- Structure: 25 chapters, 1,257 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Tom Swift and His Airline Express by Victor Appleton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Science Fiction — The story centers on innovative technological advancements and imaginative aviation concepts that define the narrative.
- Adventure — The plot features daring exploits and journeys driven by pioneering inventions.
- Juvenile Fiction — The writing style and themes are tailored to a younger audience, characteristic of early 20th century series.
- Action — The narrative includes fast-paced sequences and high-stakes scenarios that propel the story.
Tags
adventure · science fiction · aviation · technology · action · invention · expedition · daring · innovation · exploration · pioneering · aeronautics
Contents
- Something Queer
- Waiting in the Dark
- Masked Men
- A Night of Worry
- A Crash
- Again a Prisoner
- The Plot
- Mr. Damon's News
- Koku's Alarm
- Tom's Plight
- The Explosion
- A Dangerous Search
- An Ominous Message
- The Airline Express
- A Trial Flight
- Jason Jacks
- The Airline Starts
- Chicago
- Denver
- A Mountain Storm
- The Golden Gate
- Kenny Breaks Down
- Another Capture
- Troubles and Worries
- A Glorious Finish